Nathan Klingbeil and his colleagues at Wright State University have found a way to double the graduation rate of engineering students. The key element is modifying how and when calculus is taught, so that it is not a barrier to learning but is in sync with how budding engineers solve problems.

“Mathematicians have a unique ability to really understand things in an abstract way and appreciate the elegance of math,” he said. “The problem is the average person has no idea what they are talking about.” Most students, particularly engineers, are oriented towards the physical world. “That is what they can wrap their arms around.”